Page 1 of Minimum Wage Changing from 1st October 2010

I was just wondering how people felt about the changes will anyone be affected?

Talking from a small business perspective our wage bill is going to jump up because of the "...the government has extended the adult minimum wage rate to 21-year-olds from October 2010. Previously the qualifying age for the National Minimum Wage was 22." .

Luckily we've juggled hours around but I think someone should be paid on ability not just because they reached a certain age.

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National Minimum Wage rates
From October 2010, National Minimum Wage rates will increase from:
• £5.80 to £5.93 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
• £4.83 to £4.92 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
• £3.57 to £3.64 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17
The rise is around the two per cent mark in each category. As promised, the government has extended the adult minimum wage rate to 21-year-olds from October 2010. Previously the qualifying age for the National Minimum Wage was 22.
Apprentice minimum wage - £2.50 per hour
The government also accepted a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour.
The new rate will apply to:
• apprentices under 19
• apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship
LPC Chairman David Norgrove said: "We are pleased that the government has again accepted the Commission's recommendations. The introduction of an apprentice rate marks an important extension to minimum wage protection across the UK."

Of course people need to paid on ability but there has to be a reasonable minimum to help prevent exploitation. A lot of companies will pay as little as they can get away with.

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Could someone please
Remove these cutleries
From my knees...

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A lot of companies will pay as little as they can get away with

Amen to that

I`m sure alot would hire cheap skivvy immigrant labour and pay them £2 a hour

Like you can survive on £2 an hour in this country

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kebabhead says...
I`m sure alot would hire cheap skivvy immigrant labour and pay them £2 a hourNMW does jack to combat that, they just put them into the "casual labour" pile.

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

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Sminty says...
Luckily we've juggled hours around but I think someone should be paid on ability not just because they reached a certain age. I`m sure everyone would agree with that, but there has to be a minimum wage someone should earn, no?

Say for example you are a cleaning contractor, the majority of your costs are going to be staff wages. Without a minimum wage, another company could undercut you and abuse migrant workers in the process by paying their staff less than the amount you pay yours.

So not only are their staff being exploited and suffering, your business is too. That`s two groups of people suffering unfairly.

I would say minimum wage does more than protect workers at the bottom end of the pay spectrum, it also equally protects businesses that rely on these workers.

Obviously a business could come along and employ people below minimum wage illegally, however that is illegal and should be dealt with appropriately.


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But shouldn`t the minimum wage be the same for everyone. If a 16 year old is doing the same job as 21 year old shouldn't they be paid the same?

What happens when you suddenly hit 21? 

I think it should be the same for everyone, I suspect the reason why it isn`t is a concession to businesses who wanted to employ straight out of school kids at a lower rate.


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Why isn`t paying people different rates according to their age illegal and against the laws on `ageism`?

Ste

Quote:
sj says...
Why isn`t paying people different rates according to their age illegal and against the laws on `ageism`?^~~ Wot He sed!

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

^^^I want to know the answer to this?!  anyone?


Edit:  Maybe it has something to do with...

"  economic experts have warned that increasing hourly rates for under 21's will lead to job losses and make firms less likely to hire young people."

This item was edited on Tuesday, 28th September 2010, 23:09